Envelope-making machine



H. F. MARSTON. ENvELoPE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l. 1919.

1,407,206, Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mi i WH i HHH H. F. MARSTON.

ENVELOPE-MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. I. A|919.

1,407,206, Patented 9010.21, 1922.

SHEETS-'SHEET 2. F- I- E /I H. F. MAASTON.

ENVELOPE MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. I. 1919.

1,407,206. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- HOWARD F. MARSTON, OF :DAYTON7 0R10.-

.inomaoa l To all whom t may concern `Beit known that I, HOWARD F.MARs'roN, a citizen yof the United States, residingat Dayton, in thecounty of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Envelope-Making Machines, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention' relates` to an improved method for folding the ybottomflap of an envelope after the two side flaps have been folded, and thentransferring the blank from the folding device to a pair of rollswhereby the folds Vare rolled fiat. The invention is susceptible of abroader application, however, in that itV comprehends (l) a combinedfolding andv gripping device, Vand (2) a mechanism for transferringapiece of paper from one device to another by two stages. Thepresentembodiment of my invention is used in conjunction with a wellknown device for folding the side flaps ofan envelope, and the usualsqueezing vor *flattening rolls. It comprises, briefly, asegmentaloscillating carrier mounted beneath the side folder. Hinged tothe carrier is a bar which is brought under the flap of an envelopeblank lodged in the side folder, on what will be re'- ferred to as theupward movement of the carrier, and the first function of the bar is tobend the lap'iipward and around the end of the ,folder blade formingpart of the side folding device, and next toflatten Yout the vbend bypressure between itself andzthe car- -rier. This movement ofthe bar isspring actuated and the folded edge' of the envelope is nally grippedbetween the bar and car` rier, so that as t-he carrier moves downwardthe' envelope is drawn from the side folder and carried toward thesqueezing rolls. To-

ward .the 'end of the downward movement f of the carrier the bar isswungback and the envelope released. Previous to this, 'however, a pairof hooks have been dropped over 'the' upper edgey of the envelope, andwhen the envelopeha's been'relea'se'd andthe bar vretiredfromits Vpaththese hooksV dra'wthe envelope down and-start its lower edge, the Y onewhich was folded by the bar, in between the 'roll`s.' As'th'e side`foldergme'rely bends flattening the bends verymuch, provide 'apair ofrollers which-bear'upon these bends 1 Fig.` 2 is a fragmentalvr view Fig. ris aperspec'tiveview ENvELorii-MAKING MACHINE.

down the folds suiiiciently toiix them, so

that they will not change as the Vblank passes between theIJ squeezingrolls. These rollers Specification of Letters Patent.- Patgnted Feb, l21Appiication mea octob'eii, 1919. serial no. 327,743. l

also serve tol lay the blank smoothly 'around c the carrier, thecurvature thus imparted to the blank, which is maintained by suitableguides, also serving to prevent displacement of the flaps while theblank passes.4 from the carrier to thesqueeziiig rolls. ,Y l

rllhe objects of my invention are s eenin its 'l 65 functions, butl oneprime vobject is Ito insurel greater reliability inthe folding andtransferring mechanism than has characterized y Y' the v'devicesheretofore used; another is to Vobtain more accurate folding flap; stillanother object is to enable the velocity of machines of this creased.Notwithstanding theinajorw part of the mechanism is capable' of veryrapid operation va machine is often incapable, las a whole, lofoperating at such speed, or anyofsuch limitations ,iSiaa greatdesideratum, Vand certain features in directed to this end. v l y In theaccompanying drawings,

showing portions of the old i'n'echanism and the relationship of the newtothe old." i

porting structure for certain ofthe canis. n Fig is an end elevation ofthe cams.

piovement, showing anA envelopek being drawn from the side flap foldingdevice.A

Fig. 5 is a of the bottom class to be in my improvement are where nearit, becausel of certain'limitations of some. of its p arts.l Therefore,elimination F ig. vl ,is aside elevation of thedevice,

afnam. f

perspective vviewof the carrierA and bottom' 'folding ban detached' fromthe other mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view showing aportion ofthemechani'sm forcontrolling the folder bar.

paper -by'thef'folder bar. Y

, Fig'. 8 illustrates Vthejfeffectr o f flattening Fig. 7 is VVa viewtoillu'strate the generous curvature. which ,is 4at firstY imparted,tothe ioo" th'e bend, showing the'recessionf of thehfoldl Q froin".'Fig.' 9 is view of one part of the mechajtheedge'of the folder bladevas' the." Vfold isflattened out. the side flaps over the-folderblade'without Fig. 10 is a fragmental detail showing the mannerof mounting the hook by which blanks are fed into the squeezing rolls.

Fig. 11 is a separate view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 10. Y

Fig 12 is one of the guides for preventing lateral displacement of theblanks.

yFig 13 shows one of the creasing rolls and the arm on which it iscarried Similar numerals refer te like parts in all of the views.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4, the side flap folder comprises thebottom plate 25, the folder blades 26 and the;v folders 27 at each side,only one of which is shown (F ig. 1). Envelope blanks are fed inbetween; the bottom plate and folder blades by means not shown. Belowand about in vertical alignment with the forward edges of the folderblades is arock shaft 28 onv which is fixed the segmental carrier 29.The shaft is oscillated by means not shown, Fig.

, 1 showing the carrier at the upper extremity of its travel, while inFig. 4 it is nearly at thelower extremity of its travel and still goingdown. Hinged to the lower longitudinal edge of the carrier is a bar 30which acts both as a folder and a gripper. In

Fig. 4 it is seen gripping the lower edge of an envelope, the envelopebeing wrapped about' the carrier with its top flap still between thebottom plate and folder blades. The bar is thrown into'the position itoccupies in Fig. 4 as the carrier nears the upper end of its travel, andis thrown into the posivktion it' occupies in Fig. 5 as the carriernears the lower part of its travel. It is retained in either of thesepositions by a spring 31 secured to the inside of the carrier, whichbears ona roller 32 mounted on a short arm extending laterally from vtheaXis of the bar (see Figs. 1 and 6). lVhen the bar is rocked by othermeans to a point past the dead center, or neutral point, the spring 31throws it the remainder of the way,.impart ing to it a very quickmovement. The mechanism for rocking the bar will now be described.

Mounted on the shaft 28 is a plate 33 havying at its upper end a holethrough which a rod V34 passes, (Fig. 1) the end of the rod beingscrewed into a collar 35 mounted on a shaft 36. The rod has a slottedhead which bears against the plate 33 and by turning the screw in or outthe position of the plate on the shaft `28 may be adjusted, only a smallrange of adjustment being required. At its lower end the plate has arecess milled in it. in which is fpivotally mounted a lever 37 thislever is retained in its'lower position by a spring 38, the movement ofthe lever in response tothe spring being limitedby the inner end of theFigs. 1 and 4). A shaft 39 is mounted in suitable journals below thefree end of the lever. which shaft carries a cam 40 which at eachrevolution of the shaft engages a roller 41 on lever 37 and lifts thelever. An

feasible to depend entirely upon the curved A end of the lever acting onthe bar by virtue of the movement of the carrier, I prefer to supplementthis with the' cam, which acts very quickly and can be set to act at acertain time with reference to the other parts of the mechanism. Y

For operating the bar 30 at the upper end of the carrier travel, lprovide a lever 45 which is loosely mounted on shaft 28 and normallyheld against an adjustable stop 46 by a spring 47. A t its lower endthis lever carries a roller which at each revolution of shaft 39 isengaged by a cam 48, thus rocking the upper end of the lever forward; j

i. e., toward the approaching carrier. Connected to the upper end oflever 45 by an adjustable attachment is an arm 49. This arm is alsoloosely mounted on shaft`28, so as to enable the shaft to rotate withinit, and lit carries a cam 50, the position of the cam on the arm beingadjustable. The cam has two working faces, which for the purpose ofdescription may be the portions above and below, respectively, of the.line Tae-a drawn across the cam in Fig. L4. As the carrier approachesthe upper end of its travel the bar 30 being in the position it occupiesin Fig. 5, the roller 43 collides with the portion of the cam below thelinea-a and as the carrier continues its movement the roller runsdownward on the cam and the bar 30 is rocked on its axis toward theposition it occupies. in Figs. 1,4 and 6. At

the appropriate moment Vthe cam 48 engages pleting the kmovement of thebar. By means of the adjustment betweenthe lever 45 and the arm 49 themechanism may be timed to throw the bar 30 over at just the propermoment.

Previous tothe carrier 'reaching its upward positionand theybar beingswung to vgripping position, an envelope blank will have entered thespace between the` bottom plate 25 and plates 26, and the side folders.enablet 27 will have folded the side flaps over the blades 26. At thistime the bottom iap of the blank projects outover the carrier. As thebar 30 is swung to its gripping position itv lifts this flap and carriesit around the ends of the folder blades. The paper having a certainresiliency the bend at first formed has a rather generous curvature.This is illustrated in Fig. 7 where the paper, indicated by the numeral51, is seen to form a curve of comparatively large radius, although atone point it touches the folder blade. As the bar assumes its grippingposition this curved fold is gradually attened out, and as frictionprevents the paper slipping on the bar, it follows that iattening thefold causes its recession from the edge of the blade 26, this beingillustrated in Fig. 9 where in dotted lines is shown the paper as itwould appear were the fold not Aflattened out and in full lines theflattened fold. It will be 'readly seen that if the fold is made quiteflat it will have receded from the edge 'of the blade a distance equalto approximately half of the distancearound the large curve shown indotted lines. The 'carrier is so located with reference to the frontedge of the blades 26 when at the extremity of its upward movement thatthe flattened fold is nearly, if not quite, at the throat of thegripper; i. e., the junction of the bar 30 with the carrier 29. ABecauseof the curvature of the carrier, the face of the bar being straight, oreven curved slightly upward, the blade 26 is not gripped. In otherwords, by reason of the recession of the fold as above described, thegripper is enabled to seize the paper without gripping the blade, itbeing under stood that the edge of the blade is quite thin. In rarecases; for example, where very soft thin paper is being used, therecession ofthe fold ma be found to be so slight as not to fie gripperto seize thepaperwithout also gripping the blade. In such case I maysecure a small piece of rubber 52 on the carrier (see Fig. 5) solocatedthat it will be under the blade 26 when the carrier is in its upperposition. This will increase the friction between the paper andthecarrier and assist in drawing the paper away from the blade 26. VWhile the spring 31 actuates the carrier with sufficient force to Hattenout the fold of most grades of paper, aided as it is by momentumimparted to the bar 30 by the cam 50. which itself is given a very rapidmovement by the cam 48, the portion of cam above the line afa isarranged to runl under the roller 43 and by lifting the armY 42 pressthe bar 30 down on the folded paper. In Fig. 1 this is about to occur;in this figure itn is assumed that theV carrier has reached itsuppermost position and during the instant ythat it lremains there thecam 48, which it will be observedY has not yet vcompleted the movementof the lever vv45,

hooks rest (see Figs. 10 and 11).

rocks the lever far enough to move the cam 50 out under the roller 43,thereby pressing the bar 30 down on the paper and flattening the fold ifit has not 'already been attened. A frame comprising arms and 56 ismounted to rock on pivots -57 carried by the that the rollers v58 rideon the carrier 29 I this movement is aided by a spring 61. As thecarrier starts downward, carrying an envelope, blank, the frameisdropped, the rollers 58 riding on the folded sides of the blank. Inorder to more readily equalize the pressure, or rat-her to insure thatboth rollers 58 restV on the blank, I mount onel of the rollers 58 on ayielding 'arm 62, carried by arm 55. The slight pressure of the rollers,together with thefres'traint imposed upon the blank by the blade 26v onwhich the side-flaps still lie, wraps the blank smoothly about thecarrier. The cam 60 is secured to a sleeve 63 which is loosely mountedon shaft 28, the sleeve also carrying a gear 64, this gear being rotatedby gearing not shown. This portion of the structure will be furtherdescribed presently.

Shaft 39 has rigidly secured to it a roller A65 which, together with aroller 66 rigidly secured to a shaft 67, constitutes what has heretoforebeen referred to as the squeezing rolls. These rolls rotateco-nstantlyin .the direction shown by the arrows on their ends and as the carriernears its lowermost p. position, and after the bar 30 has been swungback to release the envelope, the envelopeis caught by a .pair ofhooks68 wherebyQit'is drawn down and fedbetween the squeezing rolls. Thehooks are .pivotally attached to lblocks 69 which are rigidly secured toarod 70 carried by a pair of arms 71, vthe arms being rigidly secured toa' rock'shaft 72, said shaft .also carrying an arm 73 having a roller 74at its end which lies on acam 75 carried by the sleeve 63. The arms 71are drawn downward untillthey rest on stops 76 bya spring 77 seen inFig. 1,and the hooks 68 are lightly .pressed downward by springs 78 (seeFig. 10), the' lower *position of the hooks being determined by lugsextending laterally from the blocks 69, on

As the carrier rocks downward the arms 7l rockjupwa'rd, and'shortl'ybefore thetop flap of the envelope passes from beneath the folderbla'des26the hooks drop behindthe edge of the flap, notches 79 being formedinthe blades for .the accommodation of the hooks. For'the same purpose'grooves "8() are formed in the *carrier 29. 'y l/Vhen :the en. velopehas been released ,from the carrier the arms 71 move downward, the hookswhich. the

stantially concentric Vprevents displacement of the envelope out drawingthe envelope down until its lower edge passes between the squeezingrolls. The cams 60 and '75 are adjustably secured to the sleeve 63, asis clearly seen in Fig. 3, and by means of this adjustment, togetherwith the adjustment (not shown) whereby the cam 40 can be set to tripthe. barBO at just the required time the functions of the several partsof the mechanism can be so coordinated vas to fully control the passageof the blanks through the device, regardless of the velocity at whichthe machine is operated.

The paper usually has sufficient resiliency to insure its lower edgespringing out so as to clear the hinge of the bar 30. Under someconditions, however, it may be necessary t0 insure the envelope notcatching on the hinge as it is drawn from the carrier'by the hooks 68,and for this purpose I have provided plungers 85 which are projectedfrom their normal retirement at about the time the bar 30 is thrown backto release the envelope. These, plungers are pivotally attached tocollars 86 loosely mounted on shaft 28 and are normally held inretirement by springs 87 secured to the collars and the carrier` 29.This will be understood by reference to Fig. 5, in which one of theplungers and collars is shown, the shaft 28 being shown in dotted lines.It will be seen that the spring 87 is adapted to rotate the collar 86 onthe shaft counter-clockwise until the plunger, at a point intermediateits ends, collides with the bottom of the shaft. At this time the end ofthe plunger will be about flush with the outer surface of the carrier.The collars are provided with projecting studs'SS (see also Fig. 1)which, when the carrier has nearly reached its lowermost position,impinge on the rock shaft 7 2, thereby checking the rotation of collars86. Because of the tangential relation of the plungers to the shaft,continued movement of the carrier after the collars 86 have beenarrested shortens the distance from the point at which the plungers passthrough the carrier and the point where they are attached to thecollars, thereby projecting the plungers outward and pushing theenvelope clear of the hinge. It willbe noted that in Fig. 5 the plungerprotrudes slightly from the carrier, while it is not quite in contactwith the shaft. l

I provide a system of guides which insures the envelopes againstmisdirection during their transfer from the carrier to the squeezingrolls. One of these comprises a plate 90 which is supported by beingsecured to a bar 91 forming part of the frame of the machine. This plateis given a curvature subto the shaft 28 and ward as'it passes from thecarrier to the rolls. At the left handA end of the rolls I provide astationary guide 92, carried by the frame of the machine, which extendstoward the shaft 28 far enough to overlap the carrier when the latter isdown. At the right hand end of the rolls I provide a similar rigidguide, 93, but to avoid interference with the arm 42 and roller 43 Ihave Ymade it shorter than the guide 92. To co-operate with and completethis guide I mount a plate 94 'on the right hand end of the carrier.This plate is secured to a lever 95 which is pivoted to the end of thecarrier. Normally this plate is held by a spring 96 in a position wherethe plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the carrier, it beingthus kept out of the way of the roller 58 when the carrier is up. Thefree end of the lever, 97., is adapted to collide' with an adjustablestud 98 as the carrier approaches its lower position, which rocks theplate outwardinto the position it occupies in Fig. 4. In this ositionthe plate co-operates with the s ort guide 98 and prevents lateraldisplacement of the envelope to the right. 0n a stationary rod 100 Imount blocks 101, which carry guide arms 102 shown mostly in dottedlinesin Fig. 1, grooves being formed in roller 65 to accommodate the guides.By means of these several guides the envelope is accurately guidedduring its transfer.

As the various parts of this device have been described in substantiallythe order in which they act on an envelope, the function and operationof each part being fullyV described, it is deemed unnecessaryto reviewthe operation. As previously stated one of the objects of my improvementis to enable a machine of this class to Vbe speeded up,

paper being a very erratic material to operate upon and affected by anumber of exditions operative all the time. This being so, it isimportant for these provisions to be practicable for constant operation,and without incumbering or unduly complicating the machine. Myimprovement successfully meets these several requirements, and while Ihave described what at this time seems the ypreferred embodiment of thevarious devices, it is not to be understood that I limit myself to theparticular details of construction shown. j

What I claim is as follows-z 1. In an envelope making machine, incombination with the folder blade and squeezing rolls, an oscillating ycarrier equipped with a folder bar, means for actuatingl said bar tofold the bottom flat of an envelope around the folder blade and thengrip the envelope. and hold it on the carrier while the carrier movesfrom the folder blade to the squeezing rolls, and independent of thefolder bar means for starting the envelope between said rolls.

2. In an envelope making machine, in combination with the'. folder bladeand squeezing rolls, a carrier equipped with a folder bar, means foractuating said bar to fold the bottom flap of an envelope and then gripthe folded edge, holding the envelope on the carrier while the carriermoves from the folder blade to the squeezer rolls, means for'releasingthe envelope from and retiring said folder bar, and hooks which engagethe envelope and draw it down until it enters betwe`en-therolls.` y

3. In an envelope making machine, in combination Vwith the folder bladeand squeezing rolls, a segmental carrier equipped with a folder bar,adapted to move to a position with the folder bar under the bottom Hapof an envelope blank, means for actuating the bar to fold the flap overthe folder blade andv then grip the blank and hold it while the carriermoves to the squeezing rolls, creasing devices for bending the yenvelopearound the carrier, means forreleasing, the envelope from and. retiringthe folder bar, and hooks whereby the envelope is drawn from the carrierand started between the squeezing rolls.

4. In ,an envelope making machine, a sidefiap folding mechanism,squeezing rolls, a combined bottom folder and carrier, whereby thebottom flap of an envelope is folded and the envelope carried from theside-flap folding mechanism, means for releasing the Y envelope from thecarrier, and means for startingit between the squeezing rolls after itis released.

5.` In an envelope making machine having a device in which an envelopeblank finds temporary lodgment and-a Vsecond device to which the blankmust be transferred, a carrier equipped with a gripping device wherebythe blank is drawn from the first device, means for releasing the blankfrom said carrier, and means independent of the carrier for deliveringthe blank to' said second device,

6. In an envelope making machine having a device invwhich an lenvelopeblank finds temporary lodgement and a' second device to which the blankmust be transferred, a carrier' equipped with a gripping device wherebythe blank is drawn lfrom the first device, means for releasing the blankfrom said carrier, and members independent of the grippingdevice wherebythe envelope is pushed into the' second device,

`7. In an envelopemaking machine having a devicein which an envelopeblank-finds temporarly lodgment and a second device to which the blankmust be transferred, av

segmental carrier adapted to oscillate between said devices, grippingbar hinged thereto, means for throwingl the bar into gripping positionwhen yit arrives lat the first device, thereby' seizing the envelope,and means for throwing the bar to retired position after the carrier hasrocked away and removed the envelope from said device, thus releasingthe envelope from the carrier and permitting it to pass tothe seconddevice.V v y 8. In an envelope making machine having a device in whichan envelope blank finds temporary lodgment and a second device t'o whichthe blank must be transferred, a segmental carrier adapted to oscillatebetween said devices, a gripping bar hinged thereto, means for throwingthe bar yinto Vvelope to the second device.

9. In an envelope makingmachine having a device in which an envelopeblank finds temporary lodgment and a second device to which the blankmust be' transferred, .a segmental carrier adapted to oscillate betweensaid devices, a gripping bar hinged thereto, spring actuated means forthrowing the bar to gripping or retired position after it is 'startingby other means past 'a neutral position, means for starting the bar togripping position after the carrier arrives at the first device andvmeans for starting it toward the retired position after the blank hasbeenremoved fromthe device, a rocking frame carrying hooks adapted todrop over the rear edge of the blank and draw it into the second device,and means for rocking said frame in synchronism with the movements ofthecarrier.

10. In an envelope making machine having a device in which anenvelopeblank'nds temporary lodgment and a second device to which the blank mustbe transferred, asegmental carrier adaptedY to voscillate between saiddevices, a gripping device mounted on the carrier whereby the blank isseized and v12,0 ydrawn from the first device as` the l carrier movesaway therefrom, means for releasing ing the folding bar, a cam to rockthe lever, and means for adjusting the lever so it will act at a giventime with reference to the position of the segment. Y

12. In an envelope making machine, a combined folder and grippingdevice, comprising a bar hinged to a movable carrier, and means forbringing said carrier into position below the unfolded flap of anenvelope blank; an arm extending from said bar, a two faced cam, withone face of which said arm collides as the carrier comes into positionunder the blank and whereby the Ibaris swung on its hinge so as to foldthe flap around the folder blade under which it is held, a springwhereby movement of the bar is lcontinued after it is swung a certaindistance by the "cam, thereby bringing the arm into the sphere of actionof the other face of the cam, and means for moving the cam to act on'thearm and supplement the action of the spring.

13. In an envelope making machine, a shaft, a' segment of a cylindermounted to rock thereon, a combined folding and gripping bar hingedthereto, an arm engaged by a part of the bar as the segment approachesone extremity of its stroke, whereby the bar is swung on its hinge andmade to release a blank in its grip, and means for adjusting theposition of said arm, so as to release the blank at a given time duringthe movement of the segment.

14. ln an envelope making machine, a combined folder and grip-pingdevice, comprising a bar hinged to a movable carrier, means foroperating the bar to fold the flap of an envelope blank and then to gripthe creasededge thereof; and means for swinging the bar back to releasethe envelope, comprising an arm with which a part of the bar collides,said arm having a form of such character as will produce movement of thebar on its hinge by virtue of the carrier movement, and meansforimparting movement to the arm at a predetermined time whereby themovement of the bar on its hinge is accelerated.

15. ln an envelope making machine, an oscillating carrier, squeezingrolls, larocking frame carrying hooks adapted to drop behind an envelopeblank on the carrier and draw it into the rolls, and cam mechanism for vactuating the frame.

` 16. InV an envelope making machine, squeezing rolls, a folding device,hooks adapted to seize an envelopedblank'as it emerges from the foldingdevice and feed it in between said rolls, and guides between which theblank is confined to prevent lateral displacement thereof.

l ,17, :[nVv an envelope making machine,

'squeezing rolls, a folding device, hooks adapted` to seize an envelopeblank as it emerges from the folding device and'fed. il?

in between said rolls, lguides between which the blank is confined toprevent lateral displacement thereof, and back and front guides toinsure proper entry of the blank between the rolls.

18. ln an envelope making machine, an oscillating carrier, squeezingrolls, a rocking frame carrying hooks adapted to drop behind an envelopeblank on the carrier and draw it into the rolls, a camkfor lifting theframe to enable the hooksto grasp the blank, a spring to return theframe, and stops to limit the return movement of the frame.

19. ln an envelope making machine, squeezing rolls, a carrier wherebyenvelope blanks are carried from a folding device to a position fromwhich they may be fed in between said rolls, a guide on said carrier toprevent lateral displacement of the blank, and means for retiring saidguide during a portion of the carriers cycle of movement in which it isnot needed and for restoring it to its effective state. v p' 20. In anenvelope making machine, squeezing r0lls,.a carrier whereby envelopeblanks are carried fromv a foldingdevice to a position from which theymaybe fed in between said rolls, a stationary guide member supportedindependently of the carrier and a guide member carried by the carrier,the two forming a guide to prevent lateral displacementof the blank, andmeans for retiring the latter member during a portion of the carrierscycle of movement in' which it is not in use and for restoring it whenneeded to co-operate with said stationary member.

21. ln an envelope making machine, in combination with a segmentalcarrier and means thereon whereby an envelope blank is drawn from a flatfolding vdevice where the end liaps have been folded, a pair ofstationary creasing rolls whereby the folded ends of the blank arerolled down so as to fix the folds and wrap the blank smoothly aroundthe carrier.

22. In an envelope Vmaking machine, in'

combined folding and gripping device, comprising a folder bladea carrierclose thereunder but suiiiciently removed to admit 'an envelope blankbetween them, a folder bar hinged to the carrier and adaptedinconjunction therewith to form a gripper, theirv relationship beingsuch that the gripping function is effected close to the axis of thehinge, and means for rocking the bar about its axis, carrying aprotruding flap of the blank with it and bending it around the blade,the edge of the blade being far enough removed from the throat of thegripper to permit of the paper assuming a relatively large curvature7thereby providing enough paper to throw the crease which iis formed whenthe fold is flattened by the gripper a substantial distance from theedge of the plate, thus affording a hold on the blank for the gripperbeyond the blade.

24. A combined folder and gripper, comprising two elements hinged toeach other, adapted to close together and grip what is in their throat;a folder blade therebetween, the edge of the blade being removed fromthe throat far enough to be out of the range of its grip; and means forintroducing th paper to be folded in such manner that it is bent aroundthe edge of the blade as the elements close together, allowing the paperto assume at first such a curvature as its resiliency tends to produce,the bend then being gradually flattened to a crease and concurrentlyreceding from the edge of the blade, thereby enabling the gripper togrip the folded paper without gripping the blade.

25. In an envelope machine, in combination with a folder blade, a shafttherebelow, a segmental carrier mounted to rock thereon, a folder barhinged to the lower longitudinal edge thereof, said bar havingprotruding arms carrying rollers, leaf springs on the carrier bearingagainst the rollers and adapted to throw the bar to either its open orclosed position after it is moved by other means beyond a neutralposition, an operating arm protruding from the bar and carrying acontact roller, a lever located in the path of said roller whereby thebar is swung toward its closed position as the carrier rocks to aposition beneath the folder blade, the springs completing ,the movementof the bar and pressing it against the carrier, thereby folding thebottom iap of the envelope around the blade and gripping the envelope sothat as the carrier rocks from beneath the blade it carries the envelopewith it; and an arm with which the contact roller engages at the propertime for returning the bar over said neutral position, the springs thenthrowing it to its open position, thus removing it from the path of theenvelope.

26. In an envelope machine, in combination with a folder blade, a shafttherebelow, a segmental carrier mounted to rock thereon, a folder barhinged to the lower longitudinal edge thereof, said bar havingprotruding arms carrying rollers, leaf springs on the carrier bearingagainst the rollers and adapted to throw the bar to either its open orclosed position if it is moved by other means beyond a neutral position;an operating arm protruding from the bar and carrying a contact roller,a lever located in the path of said roller whereby the bar is swungtoward its closed position as the carrier rocks to a position beneaththe folder blade, the bar being swung nearly to said intermediateposition bythe time the carrier comes to rest; means for advancing thelever after the carrier comes to rest, throwing the bar past the neutralposition, the bar in closing folding the bottom flap of the envelopeover the blade and then gripping the folded edge so that as the carrierrocks from beneath the blade it carries the envelope with it; and an armwith which the contact roller engages at the proper time for returningthe bar over said neutral position, the springs then throwing it to itsopen position, thus removing it from the path of the envelope.

27. In an envelope machine, in combination with a folder blade, a shafttherebelow, a segmental carrier mounted to rock thereon, a folder barhinged to the lower longitudinal edge thereof, said bar havingprotruding arms carrying rollers, leaf springs on the carrier bearingagainst the rollers .and adapted to throw the bar to either its open orclosed position if it is moved by other means beyond a neutral position;an operat- -ing` arm protruding from the bar and carrying a contactroller, a lever located in the path of said roller whereby the bar isswung toward its closed position as the carrier rocks to a positionbeneath the folder blade, the springs completing the movement of the barand pressing it against the carrier, thereby folding the bottom flap ofthe envelope around the blade and gripping the envelope so that as thecarrier rocks from lbeneath the blade it carries. the envelope with it;a frame carrying creasing rollers whereby the folds of the side flapsare maintained as the envelope is drawn oif of the folder blade andwrapped around the carrier, a cam for raising the frame so the creasingrollers will be out of the way of the folder bar as it is swung toclosed position; and

an arm with which the contact roller en-v gages at the proper time forreturning the bar over said neutral position, the springs then throwingit to its open position, thus removing it from the path of the envelope.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses:

HOWARD F. MARSTON.

Witnesses:

STELLA M. BOARDMAN, MARY LEHMAN.

